India’s lower house of parliament passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, early Thursday, amending laws that govern land and property donated by Muslims for religious and charitable use.
The bill permits non-Muslims to serve on boards managing waqf properties and authorizes the government to determine land ownership in the event of a dispute. Waqf properties, once designated, cannot be sold or transferred and are traditionally used for religious, educational, or charitable purposes within the Muslim community.
The measure was introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government and passed after a 12-hour debate with 288 members voting in favor and 232 against. It is now under discussion in the upper house of parliament and, if approved, will be sent to President Droupadi Murmu for formal assent.
The government defends the bill as a reform aimed at addressing corruption and ensuring transparency in waqf board management. Officials say the inclusion of non-Muslims will help promote inclusivity and strengthen oversight. Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju described the bill as a legal and constitutional step forward, calling it a “pro-Muslim reform.” Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized that non-Muslims would not be involved in religious affairs, only administrative ones.
However, the bill has faced widespread criticism from opposition parties, Muslim organizations, and civil society groups, who describe it as discriminatory and unconstitutional. Opponents warn that the legislation could be used to seize Muslim assets and erode protections under personal law. Rahul Gandhi, leader of the Indian National Congress and opposition leader, said the bill represents “a weapon aimed at marginalizing Muslims and usurping their personal laws and property rights.”
Waqfs in India comprise approximately 872,000 properties across 405,000 hectares, valued at more than $14 billion. These lands represent one of the largest portfolios of religious and charitable assets in the country and play a vital role in community welfare.
Critics say the bill is part of a broader pattern by Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party to undercut minority rights and institutional autonomy. Recent disputes over historic mosques, which some Hindu groups claim were built over ancient temples, have further heightened tensions.
The move is seen by many as a setback for India’s secular framework and a troubling sign of state encroachment on religious and cultural autonomy.